A busy week at the Alcaline Stadium continues on Tuesday night as Isthmian Premier Division leaders Hornchurch are in town.

All Things Invicta

It’s a busy week at the Alcaline Stadium as we are in the middle of a run of 4 games in 5 days.

Following the 1st team’s 3-3 draw with Carshalton Athletic on Saturday, Paul Stanton’s U18 side beat Erith & Belvedere 2-1 after extra time on Sunday to progress to the Quarter Finals of the Kent FA U18 Boys Cup.

Then on Wednesday evening an Invicta U19 side will host Chatham Town U23s in the Kent Intermediate Cup Quarter Final, looking to match last season’s achievement of reaching semi-finals.

Saturday 27th January	1st Team v Carshalton Athletic	3pm	Isthmian Premier Division
Sunday 28th January	U18 v Erith & Belvedere	11am	Kent FA U18 Boys Cup
Tuesday 30th January	1st Team v Hornchurch	7:45pm	Isthmian Premier Division
Wednesday 31st January	U19 v Chatham Town U23	7:45pm	Kent Intermediate Cup Quarter Final

From The Manager

Speaking ahead of the weekend Andy Drury said:

“We’re looking to follow up on Saturday’s performance. As I said after the game I thought it was our best since I took over as manager but we need to cut out the mistakes that cost us goals if we want to get all 3 points from games and that is our aim on Tuesday night against the team that is undoubtedly the best in the league.

I know their new manager well having played for him at Ebbsfleet, while he may not have had a chance to impose himself on the team yet we know they have an incredible squad of players and they will be looking to impress their new manager. It’s a tough ask but the aim is 3 points and we know we are capable of getting them.”

Previously

Invicta travelled to Hornchurch in October for another Tuesday evening fixture. Invicta lead twice but eventually fell to a 4-2 defeat.

Hornchurch also took all 3 points when the sides met at Cheriton Road back in in February 2023 in a hugely controversial afternoon. You can relive all the drama on Invicta TV.

That win was Hornchurch’s first in 5 visits to Cheriton Road, with Invicta winning 3 of them.

Nobody who was there will forget the goal scored by Josh Vincent in November 2020 as Invicta won 2-1 in the final match before the 2nd COVID-19 enforced lockdown.

Here we go…..@JK_Vincent2 🚜🚀 pic.twitter.com/5wZDGh0eZ7

— Folkestone Invicta (@FIFC) November 4, 2020

The Opposition

Having fallen in the playoff final the past 2 seasons, Hornchurch were the clear favourites of many to go one better this time and win the Isthmian Premier Division, and they are well on course to do just that.

6 points clear of Chatham Town with a game in hand, with the best attack and the 2nd beat defence, it appears it will take something huge to stop Hornchurch clinching the title this season. But maybe that has come in the recent departure of manager Steve Morison who left to take up the post at Sutton United in League 2.

On Monday evening they announced the appointment of Daryl McMahon as Morison’s replacement. McMahon is a former Republic of Ireland youth international with an extensive playing career across the football league and non-league. He has since managed Ebbsfleet United, Macclesfield Town and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Those wishing to see a couple of former Invicta stars return to the pitch at Cheriton Road on Tuesday will be sorely disappointed. Defender Nathan Green ruptured his MCL in November while forward Ade Yusuff injured his ACL in the 1st half of their 1-1 draw with Billericay Town earlier this month, so neither will be on the opposing team sheet.

Anybody thinking that may weaken Hornchurch is sorely mistaken. In the aftermath of Nathan’s injury Michael O’Donoghue was brought in from Haringey Borough, he scored against Invicta in the FA Trophy tie earlier this season. Meanwhile Lewis Manor has come in to reinforce the attack following Ade’s Injury. Possibly best known for his time at Bowers & Pitsea, Manor moved to Potters Bar Town in the summer of 2022 but has spent more than a year playing in the National South at Concord Rangers and Dartford.

Food & Drink

The Dugout kitchen will be open serving its new menu while there will also be a food truck inside the ground.

The Wilf Armory Bar will be open, closing shortly after the match.

Both cash & card are accepted on the turnstiles and inside the stadium.

Entertainment

The Dugout Sports Bar will be open showing all the day’s live sport including:

19:30	Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
20:15	Aston Villa v Newcastle

Admission  

All our fixtures are pay on the gate with no tickets sold in advance. Both cash and card are accepted on our turnstiles. Please arrive as early as possible to avoid queues at the turnstiles.

Adults (18-59)	£12
Concessions (60+, Students with ID, Blue Light Card holders)	£9
Disabled Supporters	£9 (Carer FREE)
Young Adult (13-17)	£6
Children (under 13)	FREE
Folkestone Invicta Academy, Youth & Disability players (with ID)	FREE